Music BTEC Level 3

BTEC music level 3 gives you the opportunity to study music within a broad musical curriculum. You will develop musical skills and non-musical skills for both the workplace and higher education.
Course Title Units Optional Extra-Curricular 1 Optional Extra-Curricular 2
Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma Music Performance Techniques
Solo Music Performance Skills
Composing Music
Music Project
The Music Freelance World
Special Subject Investigation Music Theory Grade 5 & 6 Music Practical Grade 6 & 7/8

What do these units mean?
Music Project – Optional Unit
In a group, you will create and promote a live music event. The group will face the same issues and demands as any commercially successful event organiser. You are also expected to perform in the event.
Music Performance Techniques – Mandatory Unit
Studying this unit requires you to follow a regular practice routine with regular performances as a soloist and as part of a group.
Composing Music – Optional Unit
In this unit, you will be able to develop and apply skills in composition. It involves writing and recording music for acoustic and/or electronic instruments. You will also develop skills in using music notation software.
Solo Music Performance Techniques – Specialist Unit
In this unit you must put on an extended solo performance in the region of 20 minutes long on your voice or instrument of choice, whether it is on drums, guitar, singing, saxophone, piano, clarinet, violin or whatever the instrument is.
The Music Freelance World – Optional Unit
This unit has been written to give you an understanding of the freelance way of life within the music industry. You will cover areas such as financial management, entrepreneurial skills and self-development.
Special Subject Investigation – Optional Unit
This unit provides the opportunity to carry out an in-depth investigation into a personally selected aspect of music. Project management skills and academic writing skills are developed in this unit, helping you to prepare for both Higher Education and the workplace.

If there is demand for a particular unit to be studied, it is not out of the question for units to added or changed altogether (e.g. working as a musical ensemble, music in the community). Some units are compulsory nonetheless.
In addition, we advise you to work with an instrumental tutor to develop your instrumental or vocal technique. These can be provided by the school.

Some facts and figures regarding the music industry:
• Music in the UK, as part of the creative and cultural industry, is one of the biggest music industries in the world
• The music sector in the UK is currently a growth industry, has been for some time, and is set for even more growth up to the year 2020
• at 41%, live performance is the highest employer within the music sector
• Recording falls behind production, retail and distribution of musical instruments/audio equipment as the third highest employer in the music sector at 12%
• A third of people employed in the music sector are employed part-time and 36% of people working in the sector are self-employed
• There are 7,903 businesses in the music industry with 80% of them employing between 0 & 4 people
• 42% of workers in the music industry are highly qualified, with level 4 qualifications or above
We want to create a pathway for you in this school that is progressive and will be a positive experience that prepares you for higher education or employment, so you can leave us here at a Y Pant and can go further into the music sector with confidence.